Sunday, 15 April 2012

The Sinking Of Chelsea .. A Titanic Spurs Win..

You're going down Chelsea!

Ice-cool Spurs remain unmoved.

A fascinating history lesson from Greg who draws parallels from the famous disaster with the game that will revive Tottenham's fortunes. I'm pretty sure we auditioned for the 'Iceberg' and not the 'Titanic' role.

Greg refrains from linking Harry, rats deserting a sinking ship and the England job. But then he's a lot nicer than me. 'Lifeboat for the manager there'.

( Editor: Hang on Jimmy; I thought that we were the Iceberg )

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The Greg Meyer Column

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Sunday 15 April 2012 ... Maritime Memories Revisited.

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SS Chelsea Hits Iceberg .. SS Hotspur Wins Titanic Encounter.

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At 4.27 am on 15 April 1912 RMS Titanic broke in two and plunged 12,418 feet to the seabed. It was a Monday but the fatal collision with the iceberg occured the previous Sunday evening.

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One hundred years later two London giants collide on a Sunday evening at Wembley. Whilst the stakes are very high in sporting terms at least the respective captains will not find it necessary to go down with their sinking team. A visit to meet Liverpool awaits the victor just by coincidence the home registered port of the Titanic.

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The Titanic disaster was filled with sorrow, tragedy , tales of heroism,legend and folklore. So too the history between Spurs and Chelsea has its fair share of drama and controversey. Along the way of some pre-match musings we'll touch on some of those curious coincidences and similarities.

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The Return Of Three Prodigal Sons.

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William Gallas , a spring heeled chicken like 34 years, returns against the team he served with distinction between 2001 and 2006. After that it was off to another North London neighbour, Arsenal, before he met his epiphanal moment and joined Spurs in 2010. Our pub have a lot of respect for "Willie". His ability to play well in the big games and his sheer determination to win sit well alongside little Scotty Parker. Another returning prodigal son. Mind his years at Chelsea were of nowhere the impact of Gallas.Still the chicken reference also holds good given Scotty's early advertising career in the fast food industry. Both cockerels will be vital to a Spurs victory.

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Our lawyer is not so sure about the remaining occupant of the Centre back berth. Captain King's career does not appear to have much more shelf life than Captain Edward John Smith . His last game was leading the Titanic team. Ryan Nelson vs Fernando Torres does not look like a Spurs match made in heaven either.

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That third prodigal son "returning" to Chelsea. Yep our little Croatian chicken. A magical Modric game needed. Surely the stage to show those coveteous eyes of the Russian oligarchy why big cash should be splashed come the summer. Our banker is not sure either is likely. The big game from Luka nor the summer interest renewed with bucketloads of cash. The Modric mojo does seem to have drifted away of late.

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Another feature of the RMS Titanic saga was the controversey of class. Women and children first was okay but it helped immensely if you were in first class and not second and particularly third. By far the greatest proportion of those not surviving were in third class. Controversey dogged the Shipping Line managing director Bruce Ismay forever after. He pulled rank and made sure he obtained a life boat berth and survived. Indeed many very very rich passengers did perish. Certainly no football club owners among them fortunately.

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The Clash Of Class.

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Class is no problem in this football battle. It's evident on all decks.Luiz and Cole for Chelsea down back compare with Gallas and Assou-Ekotto for Spurs.

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Midfield is where it really abounds. Mata brought in after the getting of Modric failed is top drawer. As well he has something Modric only produces spasmodically. Mata scores goals. As does Lampard. Spurs have Van der Vart and Bale of course. Gareth has been talking this semi up all week. Lets hope its not just Welsh bravado.

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Further forward the class of Torres sits beside Adebayor. Torres is likely ahead of Drogba who may rest for Barcelona. John Terry may also sit it out. Someone our club have always deemed class is the danger man. Sturridge.

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Whichever promenade you stroll class and professionalism are everywhere. As to the winner certainly widely discussed this week ...

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At A Kent Pub.

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After the sinking feeling generated by a generally shocking and a completely tired and lack lustre display against Norwich which ship puts to sea against Chelsea.

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No need to take to the lifeboats just yet even if you can find one. Our pub hope Captain Harry goes with Parker and Sandro. Sandro is class if on song. The need to negate Mata and Lampard is obvious.

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In a tight one we are due some luck. The curse of the returning prodigal to score.Go William Gallas.

Not to disappoint Celine Dion's many fans on Spurs Musings here is the song of the film. That Scott Parker is a shoo in for the Leonardo Di Caprio role, haircut and all. That's if we were playing the 'Titanic' part, which we are not. Definately. But in the event of an upset don't blame the messenger loves.